Cycle lobby heard at Interchange and Integrated Transport Conference

Bicycle Association executive director Phillip Darnton and Brompton Dock MD, Mark Antwis, have made the case for better integrated tranpsort links at the ATOC Interchange and Integrated Transport Conference, held in Manchester last week.

The conference saw rail and bus operators, local authorities, consultants, community rail and passenger groups come together to discuss the future of integrated rail travel. There was a particular focus on the development of more effective interchanges across the rail network. Delegates heard presentations on best practice in station travel planning, cycle-rail links and interchange management.

Transport Minister Norman Baker gave the keynote address in which he outlined his vision for ‘door-to-door’ journeys and hosted a 20-minute question and answer session in which he backed plans to work with the rail companies to encourage access by bicycle.

The sold-out conference of around 140 delegates – almost double the size of last year’s conference - has become the leading industry event for integrated transport.

Michael Roberts, chief executive of ATOC, said: “The conference was a fantastic opportunity for the industry to come together to discuss the future of integrated rail travel.

“We are committed to making it easier for passengers to access the rail network, whether it be by cycling, walking or by bus. We are looking at lots of new and innovative approaches from integrated rail and public transport, as well as cycle hire tickets to automated vending machines for hiring folding bikes.

“The railway is busier than ever with more passengers than at any time since the 1920s. Integrated transport has an important role to play in ensuring that growth continues, by making rail travel easy and straightforward for as many people as possible.”